First time reef setup - advice on corals for beginers?

[L76]

Hi Guys,

I have a healthy, cycled 15g Nano with dual compacts. 2.5" of live sand, 12lbs+ live rock, 4 small nails, 2 hermit crabs, a small torch coral, and one 1 small marron clown. Looking to setup my first reef in this nano... and wondering what corals you might advise for beginers? I will probably add a pepermint shrimp soon to take on the small aiptasia outbreak on the live rock.

P.S. Runing a small protein skimmer, sponge filters in back (cleaned weekly) and a small powerhead.

thx,
L76

 

[SnowManSnow]

hey man.

zoanthids are a great beginner coral. they require minimum light, and are fairly hardy.

a zoa rock gets my vote.

b

 

[bleedingthought]

Mushrooms are pretty straight forward too.

 

[trido]

If you have enought light, pulsing zenia is definately an eye catcher as well. Also, I am finding my yellow polyps to be quite hardy and prolific too.

 

[L76]

Thanks guys. All great ideas. Is it OK to introduce a small group of corals/mushrooms all at same time... or should I stagger introductions out. Any general guidelines?

thx,
-d

 

[trido]

Most corals, mushrooms and zoas come as colonies. So add a few is fine. If your are new at reef keeping. I would recommend only adding one colony at a time so you can get a feel for its lighting and water flow needs before adding more colonies.

 

[dailydriven911]

star polyps are easy to care for too

 

[FB]

star polyps are easy to care for too

I justed picked up my first two corals yesterday.

One Star Polyp - Any idea on how long it will take for them to open. One came out for about 20 min. and then dissappeared again.

And one Ricordia

 

[SnowManSnow]

wack that algae befor it takes over your corals!

 

[dailydriven911]

star polyps are easy to care for too

I justed picked up my first two corals yesterday.

One Star Polyp - Any idea on how long it will take for them to open. One came out for about 20 min. and then dissappeared again.

And one Ricordia

mine took a few days to fully open and thrive. Now they are encrusting the surrounding rock and thriving!